The almost monsoonal rains we've enjoyed this spring and summer have been a boon to the mosquitoes, and that's not something anyone is happy about. But on the plus side, this'll be a banner year for vernal pool amphibians and other residents, since the temporary ponds have been less temporary than in the drought years and we're likely to have lots of frog and salamander metamorphosis success stories. Today, Stasia, her friend, and I bore witness to one: the first appearance of the first out-of-the-vernals young Wood Frogs. It's hard to imagine how mini this newly transformed youngster is, but the clover leaf behind the froglet offers a good size comparison. It still has a bit of a tadpole tail, but it's certainly ready to make the transition from aquatic to terrestrial, and we're all rooting for the WFs to find plenty to eat and avoid being eaten. With any luck—and young frogs certainly need their share—it'll be ready to return to its nursery in a year or two to enter the March breeding sweepstakes.